Scottish Executive

Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 will come into force.

Dr Richard Simpson: We will bring forward the commencement order in due course. As indicated in the answer given to question S1W-19447 on 12 November 2001, the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 is the first part of our programme of property law reform, and we will assess the appropriate date for commencement when the next bill in the programme – the Title Conditions Bill – has been enacted. This bill was introduced to Parliament on 6 June. The implementation of both pieces of legislation must be carefully timed so as to ensure an orderly transition from one system of land tenure to another.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Air Services

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Glasgow to Barra air link is subject to a public service obligation for one year only and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.

Lewis Macdonald: The air service between Barra and Glasgow will be tendered on a one-year basis from 1 April 2003. There have been significant transport developments in the Western Isles including the provision of an enhanced ferry service on the Sound of Barra next year. Tendering the air service for one year provides a substantial overlap when both ferry and air services will be operating. An informed decision can then be taken about the future of the air service.

Asylum Seekers

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to assess the physical and mental health of all asylum seekers as they enter Scotland.

Malcolm Chisholm: All asylum seekers entering Scotland have a health check on arrival which takes account of their physical and mental health needs. NHS Greater Glasgow, which has received the majority of asylum seekers, has established a dedicated mental health support liaison service headed by a psychologist which is responsible for the assessment of asylum seekers as they enter Scotland. The service is part of a multi-agency asylum seeker and refugee team and is involved in training frontline staff both within hospitals and community-based services. Health visitors and the primary care team are well placed to support the mental health needs of their patients which include support and advice for families under stress.

Asylum Seekers

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether all asylum seekers are tested for tuberculosis.

Malcolm Chisholm: All asylum seekers entering Scotland have a health check on arrival which takes account of their physical and mental health needs. Those who are considered to be at risk of tuberculosis after the initial health assessment, by virtue of symptoms, history or any likelihood of exposure, are tested and followed up within the local health care system. However, tuberculosis is not considered to be a major health hazard amongst asylum seekers and refugees when compared to other groups.

Cancer

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to raise awareness of lung cancer symptoms to help people recognise the disease, given that people are 40 times more likely to survive when lung cancer is detected at an early stage.

Malcolm Chisholm: The association between smoking and lung cancer is well known; 90% of lung cancer patients are smokers or ex-smokers. The Scottish Executive published Smoking Cessation Guidelines in 2001 and £1 million is available annually for smoking cessation services and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

  Information and advice on the effects of smoking, symptoms of lung cancer and where to seek medical help is readily available from a variety of sources including, for example, well women and well men clinics, Healthy Living Centres, GPs’ surgeries and hospitals.

  The Scottish Executive issued Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer in April 2002 to facilitate appropriate referral between primary and secondary care for patients whom a GP suspects may have cancer. The guidelines are also accessible to the wider public on the Cancer in Scotland website at www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd/cancerinscotland.

Concessionary Travel

Shona Robison (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what account was taken of levels of poverty in each local authority area when funding was allocated for the national concessionary travel scheme.

Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-30165 on 24 October 2002. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:   http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Concessionary Travel

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of concessionary fares schemes operated by local authorities.

Lewis Macdonald: Evaluation of the effectiveness of individual concessionary fares schemes is a matter for the local authorities themselves, but the Executive has commissioned a nationwide research project to monitor the impact of the introduction of free local off-peak bus travel, delivered through enhancements to existing concessionary fares schemes.

Concessionary Travel

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations from COSLA regarding the introduction of a single national minimum standard of free off-peak concessionary fares scheme.

Lewis Macdonald: Representations from COSLA regarding the introduction of a national minimum standard of free off-peak concessionary bus travel, delivered through enhancements to the 16 existing concessionary fares schemes, have been received via the Concessionary Fares Working Group which comprises representatives from the Executive, COSLA, the Association of Transport Co-ordinating Officers (ATCO) and the bus industry. The group’s remit is to advise the Executive, local authorities and operators on the detailed implementation issues as regards the introduction of:

  (a) free local bus travel for elderly and disabled people within existing scheme areas but outwith the morning peak, and

  (b) age equalisation of eligibility for concessionary travel.

Concessionary Travel

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations from the bus industry regarding the introduction of a single national minimum standard of free off-peak concessionary fares scheme.

Lewis Macdonald: Representations from the bus industry regarding the introduction of a national minimum standard of free local off-peak concessionary bus travel, delivered through enhancements to the existing 16 concessionary fares schemes, have been received via the Confederation of Passenger Transport, a member of the Concessionary Fares Working Group. The group comprises representatives from the Executive, COSLA, the Association of Transport Co-ordinating Officers (ATCO) and the bus industry, and its remit is to advise the Executive, local authorities and operators on the detailed implementation issues as regards the introduction of:

  (a) free local bus travel for elderly and disabled people within existing scheme areas but outwith the morning peak, and

  (b) age equalisation of eligibility for concessionary travel.

Concessionary Travel

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring mechanism has been put in place to judge the effectiveness of the free concessionary travel scheme for elderly and disabled people.

Lewis Macdonald: Free local off-peak concessionary bus travel for elderly and disabled people has been delivered through enhancements to the 16 existing concessionary fares schemes operated by local authorities in Scotland.

  A research project has been commissioned by the Executive to monitor travel behaviour both before and after the enhancements came into force in order to accurately gauge their impact.

Concessionary Travel

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any monitoring of the free concessionary travel scheme for elderly and disabled people will include an analysis of any problems encountered regarding the bus companies’ understanding of the guidance issued in respect of what constitutes the free concessionary travel area.

Lewis Macdonald: No. Decisions on the operation of concessionary fares scheme, including contractual negotiations with bus operators, are a matter for local authorities.

Criminal Records

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has held with YouthLink Scotland or other national youth organisations about any financial problems such organisations might face through decreasing or standstill funding, increased costs arising from the administration of criminal record checks and increasing water charges and insurance costs.

Cathy Jamieson: I have met with representatives of YouthLink Scotland, the Scottish Youth Work Partnership, Youth Scotland and CEMS on 15 April 2002, and with representatives of Girl Guiding Scotland, the Scout Association, Scotland, the Boys’ Brigade, Scotland and the Girls’ Brigade Scotland on 26 August 2002 when these issues, amongst others, were raised.

Crown Estate

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact of Crown Estate seabed rentals for subsea cables on the laying of (a) power cables needed to harness renewable energy resources and (b) fibre optic telecommunications cables needed to provide fast information and communication technologies connections to the islands.

Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive has made no assessment of the impact of any specific elements of the operational costs of laying power or telecommunications cables, such as Crown Estate rentals and royalties.

Drug Misuse

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-28522 by Dr Richard Simpson on 21 October 2002, whether the information on the number of people that are prescribed methadone on a regular basis is now available.

Dr Richard Simpson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-5810 on 7 November 2002, which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/search.htm .

Education

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils attained three SCE Higher grades or more at C pass or above by the end of their sixth year in each year since 1992.

Nicol Stephen: The information requested for 1999 onwards is given on page number 7 of Examination Results in Scottish Schools 1999-2001 , published by the Scottish Executive in 2001. A copy of this publication is available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 17908).

  Prior to 1999, these statistics are presented on the basis of an individual year, rather than cumulative attainment by the end of sixth year. They are not, therefore, directly comparable with the statistics from 1999 onwards. The available pre-1999 statistics are given in the following publications, also published by the Scottish Executive Education Department, copies of which are available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre:

   
Title Year of Publication
Page Bib. 
Number  Examination Results 
in Scottish Schools 1992-94 1994
69 24980
 Examination Results in Scottish Schools 
1993-95 1995
79 24981
 Examination Results in Scottish Schools 
1994-96 1996
99 24982
 Examination Results in Scottish Schools 
1995-97 1997
99 24983
 Examination Results in Scottish Schools 
1996-98 1998
99 24984
 Examination Results in Scottish Schools 
1997-99 1999
99 7541

Environment

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether applications to the Shetland Environmentally Sensitive Area scheme are no longer being processed and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Ross Finnie: I announced on 14 December 2000 that Environmentally Sensitive Area schemes (ESA) would close to new applications on 31 December 2000. All farmers and crofters in Scotland are eligible to apply to join the Rural Stewardship Scheme, including those with an existing ESA scheme agreement.

  I undertook a wide-ranging consultation exercise in March of this year, on proposals for a number of changes to the operation of agri-environment schemes as part of a process of improving the management of the limited resources contained within the Rural Development Plan for Scotland. One of these changes is that, with effect from 1 November, proposals to vary an existing ESA scheme agreement will be accepted only where there is a clear environmental benefit, and the change is affordable within the agreed financial limits of the agreement.

  I intend to consult early in 2003 on options for continued agri-environmental support when farmers’ and crofters’ existing ESA agreements come to an end.

Environment

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether capital grant applications to the Shetland Environmentally Sensitive Area scheme made by individual producers who hold binding agreements with the Scottish Executive were stopped on 1 November 2002 and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Ross Finnie: With effect from 1 November 2002 variations to existing Environmentally Sensitive Area scheme agreements will be accepted only where the additional costs are affordable within the agreed expenditure limits of such agreements.

  These arrangements are necessary to ensure the effective management of the finite resources within the Scottish Rural Development Plan, and where strongly supported in the responses to a wide-ranging consultation exercise in March of this year.

Ferry Services

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the passenger capacity is of the new Ali Cat ferry on the Gourock to Dunoon route.

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive for what capacity the new Ali Cat ferry on the Gourock to Dunoon route has been certified.

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the winter timetable for Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd ferry routes was late in being published this year and, if so, what the reasons are for this.

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the top speed is of the new Ali Cat ferry on the Gourock to Dunoon route.

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive for how long the new Ali Cat ferry on the Gourock to Dunoon route has been chartered.

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the negotiations commenced to bring the Ali Cat ferry to the Gourock to Dunoon route.

Lewis Macdonald: The question relates to an operational matter for Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd and should therefore be addressed to the Managing Director of the company.

Ferry Services

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive why the new passenger-only vehicle has been chartered for the Gourock to Dunoon route before the consultation process in regard to Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd has been completed.

Lewis Macdonald: Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd’s decision to provide some of its services between Gourock and Dunoon using a passenger-only, rather than a passenger and vehicle, vessel is a matter for the company because only the passenger element of the Gourock to Dunoon service is approved by ministers and eligible for subsidy. Scottish ministers have no locus in decisions made by the company on services provided outwith the undertaking.

  The Scottish Executive has recently completed consultation on a draft service specification for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services planned for the period 2004-09. Final decisions arising from that consultation have yet to be taken.

Fire Service

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has received about whether any Green Goddess fire engines have broken down during testing and preparations for the impending firefighters’ strike and, if so, where and when any such breakdowns occurred.

Dr Richard Simpson: All Green Goddesses have been subjected to extended testing. Of the 116 deployed to Scotland, all but three have completed these tests satisfactorily. Repairs have now been carried out on the vehicles which failed the tests. In addition, one Green Goddess broke down in Stirling on Saturday 26 October and another near Redford Barracks in Edinburgh on 12 November during their road test. In both cases the breakdowns were caused by dirt in the fuel system.

Fisheries

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the ministerial statement by the Minister for Environment and Rural Development on 30 October 2002, which EU countries still permit industrial fishing; what scientific data is available regarding the effect of industrial fishing on young fish stocks, and what representations it is making at the Council of Ministers in this regard.

Ross Finnie: Denmark, Sweden, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands have quota entitlements to fish for industrial species in the North Sea. Various studies have been carried out on the effects of industrial fishing; results tend to vary depending on which industrial fishery is being assessed. The Executive is studying carefully the scientific advice to ensure that the impact of these fisheries is properly taken into account in future decisions on Total Allowable Catches.

Fisheries

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the ministerial statement by the Minister for Environment and Rural Development on 30 October 2002, what assessment it has made of the impact of a ban/limitation on white fish catches should white fish vessels switch to nephrops fishing; what assessment it has made of the impact of the potential increase in nephrops fishing on stocks of nephrops, and what economic data it has on the impact of a loss of nephrops fishing on communities such as Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders.

Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive is currently conducting assessments of all of the implications of the recent scientific advice from International Council for Exploration of the Seas.

Flood Prevention

David McLetchie (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its decision on the Colinton flood prevention scheme submitted to it for approval by the City of Edinburgh Council.

Lewis Macdonald: No such flood prevention scheme is before the Scottish Executive for its determination. However, because of sustained objections, the City of Edinburgh Council passed to the Scottish Executive its proposals to carry out works relating to a culvert overflow under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 in the Redford Road area of Colinton.

  Before reaching a decision on this matter, the Scottish ministers must be fully aware of all the facts surrounding the case. This is done by exchange of correspondence between the parties which is currently on-going. In view of the future involvement of Scottish ministers in determining this matter, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment at this time.

Further Education

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what grants were allocated under the Children and Young People’s Grant Scheme in (a) 2001-02 and (b) 2002-03.

Cathy Jamieson: The grants allocated under the Children and Young People Group Grant Scheme in 2001-02 and 2002-03 are laid out in the following tables.

  Core Grant

  
 Organisation
2001-02 2002-03
 Abernethy Trust
6,365 6,365
 Adoption UK
10,000 10,000
 BAAF 51,086
51,086  Boy's and 
Girl's Clubs of Scotland 14,853
14,853  Boys Brigade
38,727 38,727
 BTCV 28,909
28,909  Caledonian 
Award 6365
6,365  Campaigners
6,896 6,896
 Capability Scotland
45,000 45,000
 Chess Scotland
9,124 9,124
 Childline
70,000 70,000
 Children First
83,732 83,732
 Children in Scotland
190,000 190,000
 Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council
10,000 10,000
 Community Service Volunteers
66,873 66,837
 Contact a Family Scotland
45,000 45,000
 Cruse Bereavement (Scotland)
28,940 28,940
 Duke of Edinburgh Award
20,688 20,688
 Fairbridge in Scotland
45,619 45,619
 Family Care
38,881 38,881
 Fast Forward
51,984 51,984
 Fostering Network
51,331 51,331
 Girls Brigade
12,200 12,200
 Guide Association
16,974 16,974
 Homestart
95,000 95,000
 International Voluntary Service
7,957 7,957
 Iona Community
6,365 6,365
 National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries
24,720 24,720
 National Playbus Association Scotland
30,900 30,900
 Ocean Youth Trust
22,279 22,279
 One Parent Families Scotland
51,500 51,500
 Parent Network Scotland
20,600 20,600
 Parentline 
72,500 72,500
 PHaB Scotland
24,931 24,931
 Play Scotland
30,236 30,236
 Scottish Association of Young Farmers
59,145 59,145
 Scottish Centres
60,770 60,770
 Scottish Child Law Centre
59,808 59,808
 Scottish Childminding Association
52,094 52,094
 Scottish Council For Single Homeless
15,659 15,659
 Scottish Crusaders
6,896 6,896
 Scottish National Council of YMCAs
58,350 58,350
 Scottish Out of School Care Network
154,500 154,500
 Scottish Pre School Pay Association
180,000 180,000
 Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum
15,450 15,450
 Scottish Youth Parliament
80,000 80,000
 Scout Association
31,827 31,827
 Secure Accommodation Forum
3,090 3,090
 Sense Scotland
43,800 43,800
 SSC (A Club for the Youth of Scotland)
5,665 5,665
 Venture Scotland
10,609 10,609
 Who Cares? Scotland
62,640 62,640
 Woodcraft Folk
10,609 10,609
 Young Scot
25,000 25,000
 Youth Scotland
79568 79568
 YouthLink Scotland
105,300 105,300
 YWCA of Great Britain
48,801 48,801
 Total 2,506,071
2,506,071 

  Project Grants

  
 Organisation
2001-02 2002-03
 Big Brothers and Sisters
25,000  
Positive Parenting 
12,374  Running 
Other Choices (Aberlour) 33,714
32,100  Fostering 
Network 40,000
40,000  Scottish 
Child Minding Association (Care Standards) 12,447
 37,343   Scottish 
INA (Liaison Officer) 8,725
 26,175   Scottish 
Out of School Care Network (LEC) 9,880
 9,880   Scottish 
Out of School Care Network (Playmap) 11,750
 11,750   Who Cares? 
Scotland 60,000 
 Total 201,516
169,622 

  Training Grant

  
 Organisation
2001-02  BTCV 
Scotland £563.00
 Campaigners
£1,590.00  CSV
£5,625.00  Duke 
of Edinburgh's Awards £225.00
 Girls' Brigade
£1,870.10  Guide 
Association £10,000.00
 Ocean Youth Trust
£1,952.00  Phab
£2,680.00  Scottish 
Association of Young Farmers £2,255.00
 Scout Association
£6,395.00  SSC 
(A Club for the Youth of Scotland) £5,134.00
 Venture Scotland
£3,507.50  Young 
Scot £8,500.00 
YouthClubs Scotland £3,960.00
 YouthLink
£2,920.00  YWCA
£4,859.00  Total
£62,035.60 

  Note:

  No Training Grants were awarded in 2002-03

Further Education

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-28616 by Cathy Jamieson on 17 September 2002, why the £40,000 annual training grant previously paid under the Further Education (Approved Associations (Scotland) Grant Regulations 1989 has been terminated.

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-28616 by Cathy Jamieson on 17 September 2002, whether the Children and Young People’s Grant Scheme replaces the annual training grants previously paid under the Further Education (Approved Associations) (Scotland) Grant Regulations 1989; whether organisations may apply for, or be allocated, expenditure under the Children and Young People’s Grant Scheme for annual training requirements; if so, how much has been awarded to each organisation since the inception of the scheme, and what percentage any such award represents of the total expenditure paid out under the scheme.

Cathy Jamieson: The Children and Young People’s Grant Scheme aims to assist voluntary and other organisations in developing services and promoting the welfare of children and young people in Scotland.

  It did not, strictly speaking replace previous schemes but it was anticipated, and has proved to be the case, that organisations working with children and young people who had received support through section 10 of the Further Education (Approved Associations) (Scotland) Grant Regulations 1989 would continue to be supported under the new scheme.

  The Children and Young People’s Grant Scheme makes available three types of funding: core funding, project funding or training.

  In the year 2001-02 (the first year of the Children and Young People’s Grant Scheme) we were able to provide Training Grant of just over £62,000, or 2.3% of the total allocated. The amounts awarded to each organisation are given in the answer to question S1W-31116 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Health

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (Ind): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-5350 by Malcolm Chisholm on 20 June 2002, what Health Technology Board for Scotland Comments on National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance will be reviewed.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) will review Comments on National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance if new evidence about the Scottish context emerges which results in the HTBS Comment being inaccurate or out of date. HTBS has conducted no reviews to date as this situation has not arisen.

Housing

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29695 by Ms Margaret Curran on 1 October 2002, what action it will take to address the funding gap in the Glasgow housing stock transfer proposal, referred to in the Glasgow Housing Stock Transfer Project Plan Review of 2 September 2002 by Currie and Brown

Ms Margaret Curran: The Executive does not normally comment on the contents of such reports.

Housing

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what investment will be available for non-traditional build housing, such as multi-storey flats, following the transfer of Glasgow City Council’s housing stock to Glasgow Housing Association Ltd.

Ms Margaret Curran: It was made clear during the consultation process that every home with a long-term life would be fully modernised to the Glasgow standard within 10.5 years after transfer. Each Local Housing Organisation is in the process of producing a management and investment plan for their area and final decisions about the investment strategy for the transferred stock will be made following discussions with the Glasgow Housing Association.

Justice

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-28027 by Mr Jim Wallace on 9 September 2002, whether it has yet reached any conclusion on the implications for Scots law of the EU draft framework decision on the confiscation of crime-related proceeds, instrumentalities and property.

Dr Richard Simpson: The draft framework decision on the confiscation of crime-related proceeds, instrumentalities and property is still being negotiated within the EU and thus the Scottish Executive is continuing its determination of what the implications might be for Scotland. However, the UK, including Scotland, already has comprehensive provision in relation to confiscation of the proceeds of crime as provided for by the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Justice

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any specific representations to (a) the Council of the European Union, (b) any member or body of (i) the European Parliament and (ii) the Committee of the Regions and (c) the European Commission on the draft EU framework decision about the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties.

Dr Richard Simpson: Negotiations within the EU on the draft framework decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties are being conducted by the UK Government, taking due account of the views of the devolved administrations. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including the draft framework decision.

Justice

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any specific representations to Her Majesty’s Government about the draft EU framework decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties.

Dr Richard Simpson: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including the draft framework decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties.

Justice

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of any impact that the draft EU framework decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties will have on Scots law.

Dr Richard Simpson: The draft Framework Decision (FD) on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties envisages financial penalties imposed in one member state being enforced in another member state, if this proved necessary and if there was a request from the issuing state to this effect. The terms of this FD have not yet been finalised. However, the principle behind mutual recognition is that a judicial decision taken in one member state is accepted and enforced as it stands in another. It is not thought at this stage that this FD will have any significant impact on Scots law.

Justice

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the draft EU framework decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties.

Dr Richard Simpson: The provisions of the draft framework decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties, if adopted, will be implemented as required throughout the UK as part of the UK’s international obligations. However, in Scotland, the implementation would take account of the distinctive Scottish legal system.

Justice

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any specific representations to (a) the Council of the European Union, (b) any member or body of (i) the European Parliament and (ii) the Committee of the Regions and (c) the European Commission about the draft Council of the European Union decision on the investigation and prosecution of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Dr Richard Simpson: Negotiations within the European Union on the draft Council decision on the investigation and prosecution of, genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes are being conducted by the UK Government, taking due account of the views of the devolved administrations. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including the draft Council decision.

Justice

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any specific representations to Her Majesty’s Government about the draft EU decision on the investigation and prosecution of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Dr Richard Simpson: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including the draft Council decision on the investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Justice

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of any impact that the draft EU decision on the investigation and prosecution of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity will have on Scots law.

Dr Richard Simpson: The draft Council decision on the investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes is still under discussion and negotiation at EU level. The Scottish Executive is studying the decision to determine what the implications might be for Scotland. However, as it pertains mainly to general issues of co-operation between the competent authorities of member states with regard to facilitating the exchange of relevant information, it is not thought at this stage that it would have any significant impact on Scots law as such.

Justice

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the draft EU decision on the investigation and prosecution of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Dr Richard Simpson: The provisions of the draft Council decision on the investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, if adopted, will be implemented as required throughout the UK as part of the UK’s international obligations. However, in Scotland, the implementation would take account of the distinctive Scottish legal system.

Learning Disabilities

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-27804 by Mr Frank McAveety on 19 August 2002, whether it will publish the allocations to each local authority from the Learning Disability Services Change Fund through the general local government settlement for 2001-02 and 2002-03.

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-27805 by Mr Frank McAveety on 19 August 2002, whether it will publish the allocations to each local authority from the Learning Disability Services Change Fund through the general local government settlement for 2003-04.

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-27807 by Mr Frank McAveety on 19 August 2002, whether it will detail any local authorities that failed to increase their expenditure on learning disability services by the amount allocated from the Learning Disability Services Change Fund for 2001-02.

Mr Frank McAveety: Information about change funds allocated to each local authority in each year from 2001-02 to 2003-04 will shortly be available on the learning disability review website at www.scotland.gov.uk/ldsr . This will include information about the use of change funds in each area for 2001-02.

Learning Disabilities

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-27845 by Mr Frank McAveety on 20 August 2002, whether it will report on and publish its assessment of the revised Partnership in Practice agreements submitted by local authorities.

Mr Frank McAveety: The Scottish Executive feedback on initial Partnership in Practice Agreements will shortly be available on the learning disability review website at www.scotland.gov.uk/ldsr , as will the revised Partnership in Practice agreements. There are no plans to publish an assessment of the revised Partnership in Practice Agreements.

Learning Disabilities

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has conducted into local area co-ordination to underpin the implementation of The same as you? and what the results of any such research were.

Mr Frank McAveety: A short-life working group of The same as you? Implementation Group conducted a survey of the development of local area co-ordination in Scotland. A report prepared by the group was included in good practice guidance on local area co-ordination, issued by the Scottish Executive to all local authorities and NHS boards on 16 October 2002.

Local Government

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to encourage all local authorities to operate a direct payments scheme and what measures will be taken if a local authority refuses to participate in a scheme.

Mr Frank McAveety: I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-30644 and S1W-30645 on 31 October 2002. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

   http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Mental Health

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the use of risperidone and olanzapine is currently being trialled on children that do not suffer from schizophrenia and in which NHS board areas any such trials are being carried out.

Malcolm Chisholm: We are not aware of any such trials being carried out.

NHS Staff

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many unfilled vacancies currently exist in the NHS for (a) clinical psychologists and (b) psychiatrists in all disciplines.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: Information on the number of vacancies for clinical psychologists in NHSScotland is not centrally available.

  The latest information on the number of unfilled vacancies in NHSScotland for consultant psychiatrists in all disciplines is contained in the following table.

  Consultant Vacancies Existing in Psychiatry in NHSScotland at 30 September 2001 by Specialty

  
 
Establishment Total 
Vacancies Total Vacancies 
as % of Establishment  Psychiatric 
Specialties  441
 29  6.6
 Child and adolescent psychiatry
 63  4
 6.3  Forensic 
psychiatry  26
 2  7.7
 General psychiatry 
 249  12
 4.8  Psychiatry 
of learning disability  27
 2  7.4
 Old age psychiatry
 64  8
 12.5  Psychotherapy
 15  1
 6.7 

  Notes:

  These data are released under national statistics.

  The establishment figures comprise of staff in post plus total vacancies.

  Information is provided on posts vacant at 30 September 2001 irrespective of when the vacancy arose.

  The data include honorary appointments.

  Information for September 2002 is not yet available.

National Galleries of Scotland

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when and where the recent vacancies for board members of the National Galleries of Scotland were advertised.

Dr Elaine Murray: Vacancies on the Board of Trustees of the National Galleries of Scotland were advertised in the following newspapers on 8 or 10 February 2002: The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday ; The Herald and Sunday Herald ; the Dundee Courier & Advertiser ; the Aberdeen Press & Journal ; and The Sunday Times . The closing date for applications was Friday 15 March.

National Galleries of Scotland

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the remuneration package is for board members of the National Galleries of Scotland.

Dr Elaine Murray: Appointments to the Board of the National Galleries of Scotland are unpaid, but travelling and subsistence expenses are met.

National Galleries of Scotland

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what requirements are placed on board members of the National Galleries of Scotland with regard to their attendance at meetings and other official engagements.

Dr Elaine Murray: Members of the Board of the National Galleries of Scotland are expected to prepare for and attend meetings of the board, of which there are at present six annually. In addition, board members may be involved in some additional meetings and events.

National Galleries of Scotland

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the new appointments to the National Galleries of Scotland completed political activity forms prior to their appointment.

Dr Elaine Murray: All four new appointees to the Board of the National Galleries of Scotland, announced in October 2002 completed political activity forms prior to their appointment.

National Galleries of Scotland

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who nominated each of the new members of the National Galleries of Scotland.

Dr Elaine Murray: None of the four new appointees to the Board of the National Galleries of Scotland, announced in October 2002, was nominated for appointment. All four appointees completed application forms in response to advertisements in the national and local press.

Prison Service

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the transfer of 50 women from HM Prison Cornton Vale to HM Prison Greenock will take place.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The transfer will be carefully phased over a period staring in mid-November.

Prison Service

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to reduce the number of women prisoners held at HM Prison Cornton Vale to 100 as referred to in Women Offenders: A Safer Way and, if so, when this target will be met.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Executive has determined no such target. Decisions whether to commit people to custody or to the various and increasing alternatives to custody provided by the Executive are for the judiciary.

Prison Service

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are approximately 290 prisoners currently held at HM Prison Cornton Vale and, if so, what the reasons are, given that the prison has a design capacity of 230.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  No, numbers are currently about 260 but they have reached that number in recent months. The courts decide how many people to send to custody. Until Greenock prison takes about 50 females planned to start this month, Cornton Vale has, apart from small female units in Aberdeen, Dumfries and Inverness prisons, been the only available accommodation for women prisoners.

Roads

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what changes in the definitions or categories of environmental impact have taken place in any official guidelines affecting the assessment of potential road improvements and new road building in the last 10 years and from what dates any such changes applied.

Lewis Macdonald: The Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999 implement Council Directive 85/337/EEC, as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC. These regulations, which came into force on 1 August 1999, replace The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1988. Guidance on the regulations is provided by Circular 15/1999.

  The changes that affect trunk roads comprise:

  i. Changes to the definition of project types for which an Environmental Statement is mandatory. As well as motorways and special roads, these now include the construction, realignment and/or widening of roads, which would be 10 kilometres or more in a continuous length, to provide four or more lanes.

  ii. The introduction of a screening process to determine whether an Environmental Statement shall be published for other trunk roads projects. Each project is assessed on a case-by-case basis against criteria defined within the regulations.

  Major trunk roads projects which do not require an Environmental Statement remain subject to environmental impact assessment in accordance with procedures set out in Volume 11 of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB), published in 1993. Changes to the DMRB since 1993 have comprised revisions to the assessment of water quality and drainage (February 1998) and air quality (most recently in March 2000, to reflect changes to The Air Quality Strategy).

Roads

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether plans for a motorway bypass of Cumbernauld were part of the Cumbernauld New Town Development Corporation’s plans for the expansion of Cumbernauld at any time.

Lewis Macdonald: This information relates to decisions taken by the New Town Development Corporation and is not held by the Scottish Executive.

Roads

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has provided any funding in addition to the original estimates in respect of the trunk road maintenance contracts.

Lewis Macdonald: Estimated budgets based on draft programmes of work are allocated to the trunk road maintenance contracts prior to the start of a financial year. Final budgets are allocated based on confirmed programmes of work and may increase or decrease the estimated budgets.

Roads

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether each trunk road maintenance contract has met the performance indicators set.

Lewis Macdonald: Details of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the trunk road maintenance contracts is provided in section 4.4.7 of the Public Report on the First Year of the New Trunk Road Operating Companies 2001-02 , a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 23596). KPIs are not in their own right a contractual performance requirement, but may indicate where areas of the contract are not being met.

Rural Development

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what grants are available to communities for the renovation or rebuilding of village halls.

Allan Wilson: The Executive provides grants, through the Local Capital Grants Scheme element of the Scottish Rural Partnership Fund, to assist local voluntary, youth and community organisations to provide new, or upgrade existing, premises for educational, social and recreational activities. In many cases, these facilities are village halls.

Scottish Executive Advertising

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its expenditure on advertising was in the period from January to March in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002 and what its planned expenditure on advertising is for the same period in 2003.

Mr Andy Kerr: Scottish Executive expenditure on advertising for the periods requested is listed in the table.

  
 Year Expenditure
 January - March 2000
£ 773,764.00  January 
- March 2001 £2,261,135.00
 January - March 2002
£4,373,148.00 

  The planned expenditure for the same period in 2003 is currently under review.

Scottish Executive Publications

Mr Keith Harding (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the full costs were of printing, publishing and distributing Community Budgeting: responses to a consultation on local services and community engagement, October 2002 .

Ms Margaret Curran: The publication and printing costs of Community Budgeting: responses to a consultation on local services and community engagement, October 2002 currently stand at £378.99. In addition the costs of distribution currently stand at £34.76.

Scottish Executive Publications

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the full costs were of printing, publishing and distributing The Scottish Executive Draft Budget 2003-04 .

Mr Andy Kerr: The cost of printing 1,000 copies of the Draft Budget Document 2003-2004 was £5,606.52

  The publishing costs included the design cost of the document, which was £285.00 and the web conversion cost which was approximately £950.00.

  The distribution costs are expected to be similar to those for the Building a Better Scotland: Spending Proposals 2003-2006: What the money buys which came to £1,071.15.

Scottish Executive Websites

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it cost to establish its Learn to Let Go website and what the annual operating costs are of the site.

Lewis Macdonald: It cost £25,000 to establish the Learn to Let Go website and the most recent annual operating costs of the site were £1,434 for hosting of the site and £3,246 for additions and updates in the course of the year.

Scottish Executive Websites

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it cost to establish its M74 Completion website and what the annual operating costs are of the site.

Lewis Macdonald: The M74 Completion website is designed to provide information to communities or businesses which will be affected by the M74 motorway construction proposals, and is jointly funded by the Scottish Executive, Glasgow City Council, South Lanarkshire Council and Renfrewshire Council. Total set-up costs were £18,100, and total operating costs of the site to date, from May 2002, are £8,490.

Scottish Executive Websites

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it cost to establish its Property Pages website and what the annual operating costs are of the site.

Mr Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive set up the Scottish public sector property website to speed up sales and lettings of public sector property and expose it 24 hours a day to a wider market than other property marketing methods.

  It cost £12,000 to establish, £9,470 running costs in the first year and will cost £9,000 for each of the succeeding two years, all plus VAT. There are currently over 1,700 properties currently on the site.

  Over time we expect there will be a reduction in advertising and marketing costs.

Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what follow-up action is taken to encourage and assist the return of application forms in respect of ex-gratia payments from the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes.

Lewis Macdonald: We will be making a further effort to trace all the individuals who have not replied using the Department of Works and Pensions tracing service.

Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-5716 by Lewis Macdonald on 10 October 2002, whether it will make any further representations to Her Majesty's Government for the granting of a concession by the Inland Revenue to allow ex-gratia payments in respect of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes to be made as tax-free lump sum payments, given that the Inland Revenue has allowed tax-free lump sum payments to members of the National Bus Company pension scheme.

Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to my letter of 1 November 2002 to the Convener of the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee (PE500). I understand that a copy of my letter has been passed to the member by the convener for his information.

Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-5716 by Lewis Macdonald on 10 October 2002, whether there were any significant differences between the Scottish Transport Group (STG) and National Bus Company (NBC) pension schemes and, in particular, whether (a) the STG scheme members (i) worked for more years and (ii) made more contributions than NBC scheme members and (b) the surplus of the STG schemes was larger pro rata than that of the NBC schemes and, if this is not the case, what conclusions it has reached in respect of each of these matters.

Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to my letter of 12 June 2002 to the Convener of the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee (PE500). I understand that a copy of my letter was passed to the member by the convener for his information.

Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider the decision to restrict ex-gratia payments to widows or widowers of members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes that died before 18 December 2002 to 50% of the amount that their spouse or partner would have received in order to extend to such widows and widowers the entitlement to 100% of such amounts, currently available to the widows and widowers of members of the schemes that died on or after 18 December 2002, and, if it will not reconsider the decision, what the rationale is for making payment of the whole amount to some widows and widowers and 50% of the payment to others.

Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to my letter of 9 August 2002 to the Convener of the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee (PE500). I understand that a copy of my letter has been passed to the member by the convener for his information.

Scottish Water

Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what directions and guidance it has given to Scottish Water with regard to the payment of compensation to customers affected by the recent cryptosporidium contamination of the public water supply from Mugdock Reservoir.

Ross Finnie: No directions have been given to Scottish Water in relation to this incident.

  I wrote to Scottish Water on 26 September to advise them that ministers had considered whether a general scheme of compensation should be introduced for customers in the areas affected by the Boil Water notice in the Glasgow area.

  Our view was that it would not be appropriate to introduce such a scheme. This view was based on a number of factors as follows:

  an outbreak of illness appeared to have been prevented;

  bottled water was supplied to vulnerable customers;

  water could be rendered safe by boiling;

  there was no significant interruption to supply, and

  there was no obvious breach of Scottish Water’s customer code of practice.

  Ministers acknowledged, however, that Scottish Water would have to consider claims for compensation made to it, and handle them on the basis of the facts and circumstances of each particular case.

Social Work

Mr Michael McMahon (Hamilton North and Bellshill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the Annual Report of the Chief Social Work Inspector on services across Scotland.

Cathy Jamieson: The Chief Inspector’s report is being published today and copies are available in the Parliament Reference Centre (Bib. numbers 25204 and 25205).

Transport

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which towns with a population of more than 5,000 have a motorway passing through the town and what routes are involved.

Lewis Macdonald: The M8 motorway passes through the central area of Glasgow.

Vaccines

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to remove thimerosal from childhood vaccines.

Malcolm Chisholm: The regulation and safety of medicines is reserved and is the responsibility of the Medicines Control Agency.

  European and American regulatory authorities have recommended that vaccine manufacturers should phase out their use of thimerosal wherever possible as a precautionary measure. Manufacturers are actively developing research programmes to replace or reduce the level of thimerosal in vaccines. This may take time because the manufacturers are required to ensure that the replacement or elimination of thimerosal does not affect the safety or efficacy of the final product.

Water Fluoridation

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether hexafluorosilicic acid and disodium fluorosilicate have been toxicologically tested to a degree that would ensure their safety.

Malcolm Chisholm: The York Review ( http://www0.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/summary.pdf ) considered all relevant and robust research on fluoridation and concluded that water fluoridation reduces levels of decay and that, apart from an increase in dental fluorosis (mottling), there are no associated adverse effects on health.